San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1887-03-10
NO. IL.


The Republican party would take prohibi-
tion under its wings, IL II could at the same
time retain its power; but that 1t cannot do
without the liquor votes, so 1t trims its sails
to catch the local breeze, in some places
sustaining prohibition, and in others high
license.
That sly old political fox. Blaine, declares
that prohibition Is merely local issue,
matter outside Of politics, to be controlled
solely within the jurisdiction Of state po-
lice powers. Alas! for ''the continental iar
from the State of Maine"
Neither of the old parties would dare t0
espouse the cause of national prohibition,
for the reason that this would endanger the
possession Of power and spoils. The new
party is hated by both the old parties be-
cause il is dreaded. 1t is horrible spectre
that twill not down at their bidding"
The Democratic party openly defends the
liquor traffic, declaring its prohibition to be
a violation Of just principles of government
and of personal liberty. 1t cherishes the
fallacy that citizen must and ought to
have the means and opportunity Of getting
drunk, and that his victims ought not and
must not be protected from tho possibility
of being injured by his acts when drunk.
Every time inan drinks to oxcess he vio-
lates the liberty of every one Of his neigh
bors, and the party Of constitutional princi-
pies ought to be the very one to restrain
him. II ought at least to mako drunken
ness crime aud sternly punish it as such
That is the freest government which most
eirectually protects the individual citizen
from possibility of harm to life, limb and
property to his pursuit of happiness.
This moss-covered mound III the path of
enlightenment the great political dog in
the manger. the Democratic party, opposes
national prohibition for tho further reason
that any enlargement of the functions Of
the general government, and any increase
of tue exercise of its police powers within
the several states would be subversion Of
free government assured by the sovereignty
of the states, ana of the liberty of the citi-
zens of tho states.
But this has been its objection to every
progressive measure necessitating national
legislation and execution. This party de-
clared, while it was being whipped out of
slavery and secession, that itsfailure to hold
the slave and destroy the Union, would be
followed by the destruction of free govern
ment and personal liberty. 1t is still in
the way of progress, reform and improve
inert, uttering the same owlish cry.
surely liberty and good government have
no dependence upon party that holds in-
diligence in social vice and porpetuation of
soclal crime to be natural inalienoble right
of the individual, and assurance to the vir-
tuous individual of his right to "life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness" by necessary
restraint upon the needless self-indulgence
Of his vicious neighbor, to be subyersiye Of
human freedom!
All matters affecting only the people of
Tot nj nil ~ aY-
elusive Jurisdiction Of that State; but those
inter state interests, affecting the welfare of
the people of other or oil States. are prop
erly conided to the general government,
which alone can protect them.
Many practical and enlightened Demo-
cratic leaders have joined progressive Re-
publicans IN the support OF measures look
ing to the general welfare, sanctioned for
that purpose by the plainly expressed terms
of the Constitution, and rendered absolutely
imperative by the inefiiciency OF the States,
but which were clearly in violation OF their
own party principles.
The laws protecting animal industries,
protecting the people from spoliation by
railway corporations, regulating the trade
in oleomargarine, and the educational bill,
may be cited as instances.
Many of tho most important and vital
measures introduced in Congress since the
war, declared by the moral aud the practi-
cal business sentiments of our best people
to be essential to the general interest and
happiness, and by our ablest jurists to be
constitutional. have been voted down by
tho pig-headed Democratic Congressman,
under the silly plea that they were subver-
sive of state rights and, therefore, OF lib
erty.
The National Prohibition party recognizes
the fact that state authority VIII not and
cannot effectually restrain the liquor traffic.
1t therefore seeks to incorporate another
rule into tho Constitution Of the United
States, in the interests of life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness, knowing that it
will thereby accomplish the abolition OF all
unnecessary traffic in liquor, and thus deep
en- and broaden the foundations OF our hb-
erty, our happiness, and our prosperity.
There is striking similarity between
the beginnings and the character OF the
aims of this party and those of the Repub-
lican party, which set about to destroy slav-
cry through tue general government. The
found slavery intrenched in
and heresies of both tho Wing and Demo-
cratic parties. aud declaring its abolition TO
be the supreme measure, absolutely neces-
sary TO the progress Of the nation, as well as
the virtue aud happiness OF the people,
formed the Republican party to destroy il.
The beginnings of this party were humble
and despised, as all of Gods chosen instru.
ments are, but its aims were high-almost
beyond hope. Owing TO the errors, follies
and dissensions OF its opponents. 1t obtain
ed possession Of the government In 1861,
largely in tho minority in the
entire, and, controlling large and
disafected minority in its own section, with
stood foreign opposition and intrigue, con-
Quoted successfully tho mightiest and
war Of history. maintained the Un-
ion. freed the slaves, secured 10 the freed
men their rights. optne1 the South to Nor
theTn aud foreign capital and labor. PAID
aud secured the payment Of the money boI-
rowed to carry on the var, aud thus brofd-
ened and deepened the foundations OF
peace, prosperity and happiness and OF
freedom and liberty.
The National Prohibition Party has the
same pure and noble purposes, the evil g
fights is even greater, its difficulties are
similar. aud Il viii have n similar s1ccess.
II has had its martyr. but HadeOck. pure
saintly nan % God. u1liks the incendary
and murderer. John Brown. vas slain ~
crowd Of Jiquor-nakers. sellers al drink
ers. in cola blood. While giving his aid 10
their prosecution for violatIng the righteous
avs of the State IoEA he j. tniead
martyr % righ.e1ueles-. sui hrs blos1
raIleth fro-l ihe gTUrrd-"
Tbe cue aUos o. a-arn-r-tioa % ozners
rbsn thair busi1css Is proh ted oiisa
ZONES up. Il D. clear thai Ehen busioess
: s1bverSive q psb,is raorals o. The usnrt
welfare of fl,s peopls. Il ozght 20 bs Bro-
lilsitsd by tlsta. Eni tbs oEnsr j. Eoi en-
iflsd - rsrnuusrEtian foE lo7s whes -
-. ar.TaH usrrlf-